Tobe Awaka drops Team USA U19 high with double-double performance vs. Slovenia

Tobe Awaka is off to a hot start for Team USA’s FIBA U19 national squad.

Tennessee’s rising sophomore forward dropped a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double in Team USA’s thrilling 12-point comeback over Slovenia Sunday afternoon. Both marks led the team, which consists of a handful of current college players and upcoming freshmen in the Classes of 2023 and 2024.

Awaka was 7-11 from the field in 28 minutes of floor time for Team USA.

Big Tob. Big numbers.

14 PTS* / 11 REB* / 7-11 FG / 28 MIN*

*team highs

Tobe Awaka’s double-double powers Team USA’s #FIBAU19 comeback victory over Slovenia pic.twitter.com/CKarpoNChG

— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) June 25, 2023

Awaka, even as just a freshman, was one of Tennessee’s top rebounders last season. And with the departures of Olivier Nkamhoua and Uros Plavsic, there are plenty of minutes for Awaka in the frontcourt this season in Knoxville.

This is a great sign for Tennessee, too. One of the Vols’ biggest question marks this upcoming season, partially as a result of the above departures, is frontcourt efficacy and depth. Slovenia doesn’t exactly compare to the Kansas Jayhawks of the CBB world, but Awaka has looked very comfortable in his role for Team USA thus far.

Let’s see if Awaka can make a jump for the Vols come November.

Featured image courtesy of Team USA U19’s Twitter account (@USABJNT)

Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.